Page 32 of Lovely Venom

“You want us to walk you out?” I ask.

“No, you should enjoy the party. It’s a nice view from up here.”

“It is.” Lucia wiggles her brows at one of the bare-chested men in the pool.

We all give Abella a round of hugs and a quick goodbye before her entourage of guards follows her into the elevator.

When I turn around and look out over the twinkling lights of the city, I realize she’s right. It really is a nice view.

“I’m going to the bar to get a drink,” Lucia says.

“You don’t want to share this one?” I wiggle the Fishbowl at her.

“Nope. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. Besides, I’m in the mood for what he’s having.” She eyes the guy in the pool again.

“Already mentally compiling your wedding registry?” I tease.

“How’d you know?” She smirks.

“Go shoot your shot.”

“Will one of you come with me?” she pleads. “He’s there with a friend, so I need a wing woman.”

“Not it.” I glance at Val. “I’m taking you off the bench, Moretti.”

“Ugg, fine,” she groans. “I’ll go, but I’m not flirting with anyone.”

“Famous last words,” Lucia sings as they walk off arm in arm.

As it turns out, she’s right. Because an hour later, I’ve drunk way too much of the Fishbowl by myself, and I’m definitely feeling it. Val and Lucia keep texting me and trying to get me to join them, but I’m actually quite content just sitting back and taking it all in, except for one problem.

I tap out a quick text to Val to let her know I’m heading to the bathroom and I’ll be back in a bit. She offers to go with me, but I tell her I’m good. There’s a changing room on this level, but when I take a peek inside, it’s chaotic, so I take the elevator down to the next floor.

After a lengthy exploration of the various “sin” rooms, I stumble into the VIP corridor. This is where the Mafia does business, and I probably shouldn’t be here. But this bathroom doesn’t have a line, and I’m just drunk enough that I throw caution to the wind and go for it.

A few of the doors along the way are closed, and I can’t hear anything behind them, but I’m certain that’s probably where the men are. Halfway down the hall, I enter the restroom and go about my business. But when I come out of the stall, I freeze when I see Libby at the sink. She’s touching up her lipstick in the mirror when her gaze meets mine.

“Hey, Chantel.” She turns to face me, pausing for a beat before her lips curve into a smile. “I want you to know, I really am sorry about what happened at Marco’s party. I had too much to drink, and well, I’m just such a clutz sometimes.”

“Okay.”

It’s all I can think to say in my current state, but I’m pretty sure I’ll have some thoughts about this tomorrow.

She secures her lipstick in her clutch and heads for the door, but stops to glance back at me. “Oh, I almost forgot. Cristian is looking for you.”

“He is?” I stare at her in confusion, wondering how she’d even know that.

“I heard him asking around if anyone’s seen you,” she explains. “I saw him heading into one of the rooms at the end of the hall.”

“Okay, thanks,” I murmur.

After washing my hands and checking my hazy reflection in the mirror, I make my way down the hall, passing by the empty rooms. The alcohol is hitting me hard now, and everything’s slowing down. I’m too warm, a little lightheaded, and my limbs feel heavier than they should. I’m not sure it’s the best time to talk to anyone, but when I find the room that’s occupied, I take a deep breath and swing open the door.

That’s when I’m greeted by the last thing I needed to see.

It’s not Cristian in front of me, but Marco, and he has Isobel bent over the lounge, choking her from behind as he plows into her.

I stand there, completely numb as I watch them, somehow wondering if it’s even real. Marco looks out of his mind, veins popping out of his neck as he hurls insults at her and fucks her harder. It’s not just rough. It’s brutal.